The Valley Catholic May 9, 2017 | Page 9

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS tvc.dsj.org | May 9, 2017 9 Jesuit Connections Bay Area Holds Kick-Off Event On April 23, more than 40 young adults gathered at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos for the kick-off event of the Jesuit Connections Bay Area. The San Francisco Bay Area Jesuit Connections, sponsored by the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, is a group of Catholic young adults in their 20’s and 30’s whose character, faith, and relationship with God have been shaped by the Society of Jesus. The group hosts regular events to foster community, serve those in need, and to deepen their relationship with God through Ignatian Spirituality. Organized by group leaders Nicole Mintz and Chris Miller, the event in- cluded young adults from a variety of Jesuit contexts, including alumni from the following universities from across the nation and the globe: Boston Col- lege, Holy Cross, Bellarmine, Fordham, Xavier, Santa Clara, University of San Francisco, Saint George’s College, and Ateneo de Manilla; former, current, and future Jesuit Volunteer Corps members; teachers in local high schools such as Bellarmine, Cristo Rey San Jose, and Saint Ignatius; parishioners from Je- suit parishes including Saint Agnes and Saint Ignatius; and former attendees of the Caritas retreat program. Event attendees celebrated Mass and a meal together, breaking bread figuratively and literately, and listened to an inspi- rational and thought-provoking talk on Ignatian Spirituality by David Romero, SJ, a Jesuit Scholastic at Bellarmine Col- lege Preparatory. Based on the Jesuit Connections model in Boston and Chicago, the Jesuit Connections Bay Area group works to create a reliable and supportive network of faithful Catholic young adults who: • fi nd God in all things, • are contemplative in action, • look at the world in an incarna- tional way, • seek freedom and detachment. The group will host another event in August. For more information, or to get involved, please contact jesuit- [email protected] or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Jesuit- ConnectionsBayArea. Connect with Young Adult Ministry Young Adult Ministry www.dsj.org/yam Saint Martin of Tours Young Adults host a “Passion Paint Party” Members of the Saint Martin of Tours Young Adults (SMYA) entered into Holy Week with a “Passion Paint Party” on Holy Monday at the American Art Academy in San Jose. Participants select- ed an image of the cross to paint while enjoying a fun night of food and fellow- ship. Two instructors guided the young adults in creating their works of art and throughout the evening the artists med- itated on “The Seven Last Words” of Je- sus on the cross and listened to worship and praise music for inspiration. The re- sults were quite impressive. Each artist took home a unique personal painting and found it a great way to start Holy Week. For more information about SMYA, and our upcoming events email fa it h@smyou ngadu lt s.com, v i sit www.smyoungadults.com, or fi nd us on Facebook (Saint Martin of Tours Young Adults). Upcoming Retreats May 13 Finding Meaning & Purpose in Retirement Years with Jim Briggs May 13 Embodied Prayer with Kaleo & Elise Ching and Steve Harms May 21 Day of Dialog for LGBTQ June 4 thru 9 The Light Beyond All Darkness Silent Retreat with Sr. Ishpriya June 10 Come and Rest A While (Silent) with Sr. Barbara Hazzard June 24 Art & Soul: Gifts & Ministry of Creative People with Al Garrotto For  more  informa+on  or  to  register,  call  or  go  to  our  website   San  Damiano  Retreat    710  Highland  Dr.;  Danville,  CA    925-­‐837-­‐9141   Visit  us  at  www.sandamiano.org   and  on  Facebook     Young Adult Catholics of San Jose & Santa Clara County @DSJYoungAdults Saint Martin of Tours Young Adult artists in action! A Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines of Lourdes, Fatima & Santiago de Compostela Plus Lisbon, Bom Jesus, San Sebastian, Santander & More! During the 100th Anniversary Year of the Fatima Apparitions Under the Spiritual Direction of: Most Rev. Patrick J. McGrath & Rev. Christopher Bennett 13-Days: September 11 to 23, 2017 Only $3,599 from San Francisco (SFO) Plus $740 in airport taxes, security fees, current fuel surcharges, and $165 in tips. Download Brochure & Registration: www.GoCatholicTravel.com/Bennett Or Call Catholic Travel Centre: (800) 553-5233